Alumino-Thermics
that branch of metallurgy which has to do with the utilization of heat developed by burning metallic aluminum. Its chief uses are to separate oxides, chlorides, and sulphides from other metals; to increase the temperature of other metals so that they may be welded by force of pressure; to obtain molten iron to be used in preparing broken iron and steel. It was first employed by Frederick Wöhler, the discoverer of aluminum. The process was perfected by other German scientists, especially by Hans Goldschmidt. He was the first to succeed in employing it on a large scale. It is now used widely in mechanical engineering. a